REVIEWS Archives - Page 75 of 548

14Jun

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

King of Pangea – King’s Head Theatre

King of Pangea is a new musical produced by Jerry Mitchell that takes audiences on an emotional journey through the challenges of growing up, family bonds, illness, and grief. It tells a moving story about a boy named Sam Crow, who grows up in a loving household only to face the devastating impact of cancer—not once, but twice. The musical begins with Sam watching his mother battle and survive cancer. Later, as a university student, he is confronted with a similar situation—but this time, it ends in loss. The narrative powerfully explores how grief reshapes a person's world. Sam Crow is played by Alfie Blackwell, with Tayt Joshua Silvester-Stoller portraying his younger self. Both deliver compelling performances, capturing the deep emotional struggle of processing trauma at a young a...

13Jun

By David S ClarkeNo Comments

North West

Finding Nemo Jr. – The Forum Theatre

This show was performed by the NK Theatre Arts junior youth theatre members (all 85 of them!) and I cannot remember ever seeing such an enthusiastic bunch of children, many of whom were taking part in their first ever stage show. I must say at the outset that HUGE congratulations must go to Hannah Thomas who in addition to directing the show also took on the role of musical director and choreographer and she excelled in all of these disciplines. I have to say that, going back many years, this must be just about the best production I have seen that Hannah has taken charge of. She really does excel in bringing out the talents of the youngsters in her charge. The storyline of the production is based on the 2003 Pixar animated film of the same name. Living on the great barrier reef off ...

What Does It Take to Slay a Dragon – 53two

13Jun

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

What Does It Take to Slay a Dragon – 53two

The first rule of dramatic writing is to “show not tell”. Drama works best when the audience is engaged in the story, its characters and the conflict that lies within it. They are drawn in and become involved, developing a genuine care for the characters. That feeling may be love, or it may be hate, but they are interested because they are watching something dramatic unfold. It is disruptive, then, for people watching if the actors simply break the fourth wall and just tell them what is happening. Structurally, this play was a mess. The writer, Rebekah Harrison, warned the audience that they were in for something different, and whilst it may be seen as a brave move to tell the story in the way she did, it simply did not work. It stopped you from caring about the characters and made itse...

12Jun

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

The 39 Steps – Gladstone Theatre

For their final instalment of their centenary season, Bebington Dramatic Society have brought the hilarious The 39 Steps to the Gladstone theatre and what a treat it is. Originating as a novel in 1915, it then inspired the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film, which in turn was turned in to a play. The set, to start, is rather bare, with a covered chair, a table with a few props on, a window and 2 step ladders at the back providing the set up for the play and with clever use of different pieces such as a lamppost, a door and numerous suitcases, we are transported through many scenes from the theatre, a train, to a hotel room and everything in between. The story follows Richard Hannay (Richard Dodd) as he goes on the run after being falsely accused of murdering Annabella Schmidt (Danielle Jones...

12Jun

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Romeo and Juliet – Wilton’s Music Hall

Flabbergast Theatre have returned to Wilton’s Music Hall, this time with a visceral reimagining of Romeo and Juliet. A thunderous, and unrelenting feat of physical theatre that carries an energy that brings something entirely fresh to Shakespeare’s tragedy. Renowned for rejecting classic Shakespeare, this latest production from Flabbergast is fiercely modern and embraces a raw, and highly expressive way of presenting the story of star-crossed lovers, injecting a whole new level of modern storytelling into the text. From the moment the audience enters the auditorium, it’s clear that something unusual, is about to unfold. The ensemble is already on stage, shifting and murmuring with an unnerving intensity. It’s difficult to tell whether they are intoxicated, possessed, or gripped by some ...

12Jun

By Oliver GigginsNo Comments

Scotland

Quadrophenia – Festival Theatre

Translating a rock opera to the stage might seem like a logical sequitur, until one remembers that in this case it is translating an album – in which the storytelling is done almost entirely through lyrics (and may still not be the clearest then) – into an entirely non-verbal medium – a ballet. But this was the task of Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet, taking The Who's (well... really Pete Townshend's) second/third rock opera (depending on whether we count A Quick One While He's Away) 1973's Quadrophenia, stripping out its lyrics and replacing guitars, synths and Moonish drumming for an orchestral version of the album by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. While waiting outside, another audience member asked me how many people I thought were there for the music. Having seen at least one The Who...

Much Ado About Nothing – Shakespeare North Playhouse

12Jun

By Stephanie WiswallNo Comments

North West

Much Ado About Nothing – Shakespeare North Playhouse

Ever seen a punk version of Shakespeare? No, well take a seat for Laura J Harris's adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing. With a colourful cast of emerging LGBTQ+ and Northern talent, I can guarantee you haven't seen Shakespeare quite like this. Set in the North West of England during the 1980s We have the cunning and dastardly Captain Don John (Mike Bell) who orchestrates mayhem with his band of mischief makers Boracchio (Amy-Lou Harris) and Conrad (Elinor Boult). The trio play great villains and they are the characters you want to see brought to justice in the end. Entangled in their corrupt plan are the poor lovers Claudio (Coda James Neil) and Hero (Shannon Lancashire). Both characters were well portrayed with some excellent emotive scenes, especially Claudio, a very powerful and mov...

12Jun

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Firelight Trio – Traverse Theatre

Presented by Soundhouse, Firelight Trio take us on a journey through European folk music, finding unity in the sounds of a myriad of cultures from klezmer to polka. Working in partnership with the Traverse as well as other venues around Edinburgh, Soundhouse is a charity organisation with the aim of promoting live music in Edinburgh. Firelight Trio are featured as a part of Soundhouse’s Summer lineup at the Traverse which holds focus on showcasing the talents of upcoming folk artists. With weird and wonderful modifications to their instruments, an adept knowledge of their craft and a passion to share it, it is clear that Firelight Trio’s music is created with deep intentionality and expertise. The trio are highly credited, with Ruth Morris (who plays the Swedish ...

12Jun

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

Idlib – Chester Lane Library, St Helens

Written, directed and presented by Kevin Dyer, and produced by Laura Duncalf, Idlib is based on the story of a Syrian baker who wanted to return home and real interviews with Syrian refugees and escapees across Europe. It tells the story of a woman (Anoush Kendrick) who has hope, but it is both the prelude to this tale and what follows afterwards that makes this such a powerfully prescient piece as it mixes conversation, an uplifting story of kindness, making bread on stage, drawing, and sharing personal memories of food and family, eating together and socialising. As Dyer mixed the essential ingredients, with a glug of oil and yoghurt reminiscent of the Levant, the usual reticence of an audience quickly fell away with three coming forward to assist him. As he spoke, we were drawn i...

Boys from the Blackstuff – Regent Theatre, Stoke

12Jun

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Boys from the Blackstuff – Regent Theatre, Stoke

This week the Regent Theatre is host to an Alan Bleasdale classic. Directed by Kate Wasserberg and with a new adaption by James Graham, the BAFTA winning "Boys from the Blackstuff" is currently touring directly from the West End. A show that maybe familiar with some of the audience from its success as a TV series almost 40 years ago, it was curious to see how the story would translate on stage. The story is set in 80s Liverpool and depicts the lives of a group of workers who are desperately trying to provide for themselves and their loved ones. In many ways it could almost be a commentary on recession during the reign of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher because with little money around, the story highlights how life at this time for many in Liverpool was one long, arduous strug...